What to do with this Shishigashira

[Steven1969s]

Hello everyone. It's been a while since I posted.
I got this Shishigashira from a friend that wasn't doing anything with it. The tree was never cut back and therefore it has no lower branches. There is one tiny branch about 3 inches from the bottom.
What do you guys recommend? I already repotted it. Should I air layer or chop it back to encourage new growth?

 

[Martin Sweeney]

I'd give it this year to grow and layer next year

 

[Shibui]

Air layer will give you another tree or trees but will delay any further development until the layer roots - maybe 6 months.
Cut back will start the process immediately but will only result in a single tree.

You have repotted. How severe was the root pruning? If not much maybe you can proceed with either of the options this season. If you took a lot of roots off I would also say to give it a chance to recover before more work.